Tragic Toll: 55,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Lost in Ongoing Conflict with Russia

Fri Feb 06 2026 00:34:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Volodymyr Zelensky reveals the staggering death toll of Ukrainian soldiers in the war against Russia, highlighting the tragic realities of the ongoing conflict.

In a recent interview, President Zelensky announced that approximately 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the conflict with Russia began. He also indicated that many more are missing, suggesting the total losses may be significantly higher. Meanwhile, peace talks continue amid struggles for territorial compromises.

The number of Ukrainian soldiers killed on the battlefield in the four years of war with Russia is 55,000, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

Zelensky announced the figure in an interview with France 2 TV on Wednesday. Additionally, a large number of people are considered officially missing, he said.

While both Kyiv and Moscow have regularly published estimates of the other side's losses, they have been reluctant to detail their own. However, the BBC has confirmed the names of almost 160,000 people killed fighting on Russia's side in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump has been leading efforts to end the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour on 22 February 2022.

Special US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, held talks with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, for a second day on Thursday in an effort to try and thrash out the details of the US-proposed peace deal.

Zelensky confirmed 157 Ukrainians were released in the latest prisoner exchange agreement. He vowed to continue work ensuring every soldier is accounted for, amidst challenges surrounding the identification of bodies and the ongoing conflict's toll on families.

The talks have also faced difficult issues concerning the territorial demands of Russia, particularly regarding the eastern industrial region of Donbas. Despite the complexities, both sides have shown a willingness to engage in dialogue.

As the war drags on, the human cost continues to rise, with graveyards across Ukraine bearing witness to the loss and sorrow of countless families.